Is shrinkage a problem with celluloid?
It certainly can be if the material isn’t properly made. Rush the drying process, and the celluloid will behave like green wood, shrinking as excess residual solvents gradually evaporate. This happened not long ago to a prominent Italian pen company, whose customers began returning their expensive limited-edition pens for loose cap bands and tight caps. The use of celluloid was blamed, even though tens of thousands of celluloid pens from the 1920s, ’30s, and ’40s survive to this day with cap bands tight and perfect cap to barrel fit. Since proper seasoning takes a long time – months in a special oven for large slabs and rod stock – the temptation to cut corners is as obvious as it is short-sighted. We take great care to insure that our celluloid is fully dried before shipment. Note that celluloid may exhibit a different kind of shrinkage immediately after being cut. Because of the long seasoning process, thicker pieces will have a small amount of internal stress. Once a square rod is t
